US2418807A

US2418807A - Race starting gate

Info

Publication number: US2418807A
Application number: US410142A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jesse P Whann; Norman C Harris
Original assignee: PUETT ELECTRICAL STARTING GATE
Current assignee: PUETT ELECTRICAL STARTING GATE
Priority date: 1941-09-09
Filing date: 1941-09-09
Publication date: 1947-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 1964-04-08

Description

April 8, 194?l J. P. WHANN ETA. 2,418,807

RACE STARTING GATE Filed Sept. 9, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l /Z /a /60 /a /6 0 Jnvcntols:

April 8, 1947. J. P. wHANN ETAL RACE STARTING GATE 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9

Bnventors /Y/Y and Patented Apr. 1947 I -Jesse P.v Whann Starting Gate RACE STARTING GATE and Norman Angeles, Calif., lassignorsv 'to Corpor C, Harris, Los Puett Electrical ation, BeverlyHills, Calif.,

` va corporation of California Application september 9, `1941 `,serm1 No.

11 claims; (o1. A'11s-15.5),

to improvements in start'- gates, therebygiving al1 of the racingl animals opportunity for an even start. The present invention is of thev application which 2,309,952, February 2, 1943.

It is an 4object of a continuationA in part becamey Patent No.

the race improperly started by mechanism.

It is an object bers due to gravity, and as explained hereinafter in the specication, from the operative position in which it is held by magnetism.

A further object of the invention is to provide starting gate structure having latch means they movable engagement -an armature or keeper forming part of member. However, it i'sggtnot necessary toadjust the gate operative position. gate means results in Thereafter, closing of the latching of the engagement on the other gate element.

Avfurther object of the invention is to provide A further object of the invention is to provide a starting gate device having a pair of gate elements to close each starting stall of operating between frame or supporting structure so that the gate elements may be separately and individually latched in closed position merely by swinging them from open position toward closed position as there being no care required in element into a prescribed cooperative relation.

Further objects z 3 tion will be brought out in the following part of the specification.

trative purposes only:

lng our invention, with a central portion of the starting gate structure removed, and with the closures or gate elements shown in both closed and opened positions. Y, Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view, the parts in section being taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a. fragmentary plan view corresponding to Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper part of a starting stall, to show an alternative form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 5-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 'I is an enlarged fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 'I-1 of Fig. 5.

' Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational View showing the manner in which a form of our improved latch may be mounted on the meeting vertical edges of two cooperating starting gates.

The starting gate device I shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a framework or structure II which may be made up ofwelded tubular parts. This structure II has pairs of Wheels I2 at the ends thereof whereby it may be rolled on and off of the track. The structure I I provides a. plurality of stalls I3 defined by padded substantially parallel partitions or walls I4. The term framework in the claims includes all of the stationary parts of the starting gate. 'The framework therefor includes the overhead structure II, the stanchions or the vertical supports forming part of the parutions, in fact this term is used to distinguishthe swinging doors, from the other parts of the gate, the doors being the movable parts and the remainder of the gate being the stationary part.

To close or obstruct the `forward portions of the stalls I3, gate means I are provided, such Referring to the drawings which are for illus-` Fig. 1 is a, face view of a starting gate embodygate means preferably comprising a pair of gates n or closures I6 hinged on vertical axes or pivots so that they will 4be swingable between an open position I6a. in which they are substantially parallel as best shown in Fig. 2, and a closed position I6b wherein their side edges farthest from their vertical pivots are adjacent to each other. Whether the closures lie `in diagonal planes or are at an angle of 180 to each other is a matf ter of choice as both arrangements are well known in this art as is illustrated in the hereinafter referred to Puett et al. patent, and the patent to Comfort et al. No. 1,870,768, dated August 9, 1932, and the Macksoud Patent No. 2,319,- 420, May 8, 1943 (Figures 4 and 5).

As shown in Fig. 1, the gates or closures I6 may be fabricated from steel tubing, with a tube or bar I8 disposed vertically at the outer edge thereof to provide a shaft or axle element engageable by bearings I9 in which the gates I6 maybe swung between opened and closed positions. 4vThe lower portion of each gate IE may carry an opaque padded wall 20, and above the wall 20,

1 a screen 2I may be disposed in the gate substantially in alignment with the heads of the horses and the jockeys. On a lateral frame member 22 extending above the forward portions of the stalls I3 there are latch means 23, preferably arranged on the central vertical planes 4 of the stalls I3. Each gate I6 has a structural part 24 thereof carrying an engagement member 25, and the structural parts 24 and the engagement members 25 are so positioned that when the gates I6 are swung from open position I6a .to closed position IBb, 4the structural parts 24 will carry the engagement members 25 into latched engagement with cooperating parts of the latch means 23 in the manner hereinafter described relative to Figs. 3 and 4. The structural parts 24 may be arms bent laterally or extending laterally from the upper ends of the shaft portions I8 of the gates I6, in such angular relation to the planes defined by the gates I6 that when the gates I6 are moved into closed position, as shown at I6b of Fig. 2, the arms 24 will lie substantially parallel to the frame member 22. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the latch means 23 comprises an electromagnet 21 having at one end thereof a split clamp 28 whereby it may be secured to the frame member 22. At the forward or leftward portion of the electro-magnet 21 there are brackets 26 carrying a horizontal hinge pin 29 to swingably support a keeper or armature 30 which forms part of an engagement member 3l of the gate latohing mechanism. When the electro-magnet, 21 is energized, the engagement member 3| will be held in a substantially horizontal plane and when the electromagnet 21 is de-energized, the weight of the armature 30 will swing it into the released position indicated by dotted lines 3l. The engagement member 3i is characterized by yieldability .ment members 36 positioned so that when the 'gates IB are swung into closed position, the engagement members 36 will be moved in under the leftward portion of the engagement member 3I, lifting the yieldable latch dogs 32 and passing 'there beyond so that these latch dogs 32 may drop intothe positions in which they are shown in full lines in Fig. 3 to engage the front shoulders of the engagement members 36, it being understood that previously to these acts, the electro-magnet 21 has been energized so that the engagement members 3I are thereby held in horizontal position by the magnetic ux acting within the armatures 30.

Thel leftward force exerted by the engagement member 36 against the latch dog 32 tends to rotate the engagement member 3I in clockwise dlrection, but such rotation is prevented by the holding power of the electro-magnet 2l. However, should a horse in a stall exert an excessive force against the associated gates I6, the force applied through the engagement member 36 to the dog 32 will rotate the engagement member 3| against the holding force of the electro-magnet 21, rotating the member 3l into its dotted line position 3l' and permitting the engagement member 36 to pass leitwardly from engagement 'with the latch shoulders of the engagement member 3I provided by the dogs 32. In the normal operation of the starting gate device, the electro- Y itheclcsing of 'thereof in engagement sisting, as'shown in Fig.

.ment member' 45 is yieldable fthe diagonal or .deenergized, so the engagement members 3| will simultaneously swing into released position 3|' and the gates I6 may be then swung by their associated springs 31, Fig. 1 into opened position.

As previously mentioned herein, it is customary to energize the electro-magnet'Zl prior to any of the gates I6. Should this energization of the electro-magnet 21 fail to move any engagement; member 3| to latching position, the movement of on'e of the arms 24 toward the position will bring the associated end portion 33 thereof into engagement with a iinger or plate 39 which projects outwardly from the engagement member 3|, thereby moving the member 39 in rightward direction so as to swing the armature 30 further into the magnetic iield of the electro-magnet 21. so that the magnetism may then act to draw the armature 39 against the lower face of the electro-magnet 21.

In Fig. I show the upper portion of gates 40 in closed position, with the meeting edge bars 4t as shown also in Fig. 7. One of the gates 4|l`has a bar 42 extending rearward therefrom, this bar 42 being braced by the member 43, if desired. To cooperate with the gate 49 through the use of the bar 42, latch means 44 are provided, such latch means con- 6, of an engagement member 45 'supported by the extremity of the bar member 4l pivotally supported' on the frame member 22 of the structure by means of abracket 48, which bracket 48 likewise carries an electro-magnet 49 for cooperation with a keeper or armature 5|) which projects upwardly across the front face of the electro-magnet 49 at the rearward portion of the engagement member 41.

In this form of the invention the magnetically held engagement member 41 has a latching shoulder 5| which is rigidly held in position when the' electro-magnet 49 isv energized. 'The engageso that as the end of the bar 42 moves toward the position in which it is shown, Fig. 6, the forward end of the engagement member 45 will ride over and pass by .the forward portion of the engagement member 41 to bring the latching shoulder 52 thereof into cooperative relation with the latching shoulder 5|, as shown.

'As shown in Figs. 5 and 7,` the vertical member 4| of' the gate 4|) cooperating with the latch means 44 has thereon a locking plate or member 53 for the remaining gate 40. This member 53 has therein a notch 54 to' receive `the end 55 of the member 56 mounted on the other gate 4|). The

members

53 and 56 may be secured in the position shown by use of welds 51. The'operation of the gate is preferably connected as follows:Y The right hand gate 49 is first swung in closed position in which it is shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and the left hand gate y4|) is swung inward to "bring the

members

53 and 56 into adjacent relation owith eachother and to carry the latching element 45 into latching engagement with an engagementrmember 41 held inoperative position by Ithe magnetic ilux of the energized electro-magnet 49. The right hand gate 49 will be held in closed position by the locking or holding means of the left hand gate 40 represented by the notched plate 53.

When the electro-magnet 49 is deenergized, the engagement/member 41 will rotate inanticlockwise direction into the position thereof' shown by dotted lines 41', removing the latching thereof shown in full lines 'shoulder 5| tion .relative to the meeting edges l1 of the gates as to cooperate with an engagement member 6| carried by a plate 62 supported on the other gate. The engagement member 6| is swingable on a pivot 63 and comprises an armature 64 lying on one side of the pivot| 63 and ahook portion 65 on the side of the pivot 66 being employed to releasably hold the arma'- ture 64'and to thereby releasably maintain the latch member 6| in operative position.

cuit The engagement member 59 is supported by a pin 61 so that it may yield downwardly against the action of a leaf spring 68 to permit .the hooked forward end 69 thereof to pass the hooked portion 65 of the engagement member 6|, when the gates 6 are swung so as to bring the meeting edges |1 thereof into engagement. Release of this latch means is likewise accomplished by merely deenergizing the electro-magnet 66 so that the armature 64 may swing downward, thereby raising the hooked portion 65 out of engagement with the hooked end 69 of the member 59.

It is to be understood that the electrical cirarrangements may be similar to that shown in Figure 5 of our Patent No. 2,309,952, patented February 2, 1943, asl such circuits are now in common use for starting gates, and as shown by other prior art patents such as Puett et al. No. 2,232,675, patented February 18, 1941, and now eissue Patent No. 22,203, patented October 13,

' structure:

r (1) The armature 30 is mounted on the framework and said armature swings in a vertical plane.

(2) The armature is substantially horizontal when held by the magnet, see full line position of said armature in Figure 3.

(3) The armature swings by gravity when released by the magnet and assumes an inclined position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3.

(4) The arm means or structural part; 24 is rigidly mounted with regard to the door, and is mounted on the pivot of the door.

(5) Each arm means has a free end with a surface adapted to be contacted by a corresponding surface of the armature, to hold said arm of its rigid relation with the which may occur should an ex;v Aexerted against the gate means' held by the latch means 44.

63, an electro-magnet of the armature that engages the surface on the part 36 which forms part of the end of the arm means 24.

(7) The arm means of each door extends substantially in a horizontal direction.

(8) The arm means extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gate and transverse to the partitions when its door is in closed position.

(9) The armature of each gate swings in a vertical plane that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of thegate and substantially parallelto the partitions.

(10) The front face IUI ofV the gate is deilned substantially by a plane passing through the vertical supports 100 and the horizontal support or lateral frame member 22. It will be noted that this face IUI is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gate as seen in Figure 2.

By longitudinal axis is meant a line extending from the front wheel supporting axle to the rear wheel supporting axle.

We claim'as our invention:

1. In a race starting gate, the combination of: a pair of gates pivotally supported at the forward part of said starting gate, said gates being swingable from a closed position in which said gates are angularly positioned with respect to each other and with their outer ends adjacent to each other to an open position in which said gates are in substantial parallelism; latch: means for releasably latching said gates in closed position,

said latch means including a latch element on one gate,`a latch lever engageable with said latch element but movable to release said latch element, said latch lever and latch element comprising a pair of latching members including a plurality of pivoted parts, one of said members being provided with yieldable means wherebiT upon contact of one member with the other member duringmovement of said gates to closed position, said yieldable means permits movement of one of said members relative to the other to allow said members to move past each other, magnetic means for holding said latch leverin latching engagement. with said latch element, whereby upon deenergizatlon of said magnetic means said magnetic means will allow said latch lever to release said latch element for permitting said gates to open, and means for moving said gates to open position.

2. In a race starting gate, the combination of: a pair of gates pivotally supported at the forward part of said starting gate, said gates being swingable from a closed position in which said gates are angularly positioned with respect to each other and with their outer ends adjacent to each other .to an open position in which said gates are in substantial parallelism; latch means for releasably latching said gates in closed position, said latch means including a latch element on one gate, a latch lever on the other gate engageable with said latch element but movable to release said 'latch element, said latch lever and latch element comprising a pair ,of latching members, said latch element and said latchlever being pivotally mounted, one of said members being provided with yieldable means whereby upon contact of one member with the other member during movement of said gates to closed position, said yieldable means permits movement of one of said members relative to the other to allow said members to move past each other, magnetic means on said other gate for holding said latch lever in latching engagement with said latch element, whereby upon deenergization of said magnetic means said magnetic means will allow said latch lever to release said latch element for permitting said gates to open, and means for moving said gates to open position.

3. In a race starting gate, the combination of: a pair of gates pivotally supported at the forward part of said starting gate, said gates being swingable from a closed position in ywhich said gates are angularly positioned with respect to each other and with their outer ends adjacent to each other to an open position in which said gates are` in substantial parallelism; latch means for releasably latching said gates in closed position, said latch means including a latch element on one gate, a latch lever engageable with said latch element but movable to release said latch element, said latch lever and latch element comprising a pair of latching members, said latch lever being pivotally mounted, one of saidv members being provided with yieldable means'whereby upon contact of one member with the other member during movement of said gates to closed position, said yieldable means permits movement of one of said members relative to the other to allow said members to move past each other, magnetic means mounted on a stationary part of said starting gate and supporting said latch lever for holding said latch lever in latching engagement with said latch element, whereby upon deenergization of said magnetic means said magnetic means will allow said latch lever to release said latch element. for permitting said gates to open, and means for moving said gates to open position.

4. In a race. starting gate, the combination of a pair of gates pivotally supported at the forward part of said starting gate, said gates being swingable from a closed position in which said gates are angularly positioned with respect to each other to an open position in which said s gates are in substantial parallelism, latch means able to release said latch element, said latch element and latch lever comprising a pair of latching members, one of said members being provided with yieldable means whereby upon contact of one member with the other member during movement of said gates to closed position, said yieldable means permits movement of one of said members relative to the other to allow said members to move past each other, magnetic means on the same gate as said latch lever and located adjacent to said armature for magnetically attracting said armature for holding said latch lever in latching engagement with said latch element, and whereby upon deenergization of said magnet means, said latch lever will release said latch element for permitting said gates to open, and means for moving said gates to open position.

5. A starting gate having a, superstructure including a plurality of partitions, a pair of doors between two adjacent partitions, said doors having pivot means and being swingable from a closed position wherein the side edges of said pair of doors farthest from said pivot means are ad` jacent to each other, to an open position where the doors are substantially parallel to each other, arm means on one door having a free end thereof spaced rearwardly from the adjacent edges releasing said armature and spaced horizontally to one side of said pivot means, latch means for releasably latching said doors in closed position, said latch means 1ncluding a latch element on said arm means at its free end, a solenoid provided with ansarmature,'means attaching said solenoid including said armature directly to a stationary part of tn contact said superstructure, said means includ-ing means pivotally mounting said armature, said armature being heavier on 'one side of said pivot than on the other side thereof and being biased to released position by gravity, and said armature having means including asurface contacting said latch element at the free end of said arm means, said solenoid when energized and with said doors in closed position serving to hold said armature and said latch element, and when deenergized whereby said armature moves by gravity to released position, thereby releasing one of said doors.

6. A starting gate having a framework including a plurality of partitions, a pair of doors between two adjacent partitions, said doors having pivot means and being swingable from a closed position wherein the side edges of said pair of doors farthest from said pivot means are adjacent to each other, to an open position where the doors are substantially parallel to each other, arm means on one door having 'a free'end, means attaching said arm means only to said door pivot means whereby said arm means extends substan-y tially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gate andtransverse to said partitions when the door is in closed position, latch means for releasably latching said doors in closed position including: av solenoid provided with an armature, means attaching said solenoid including said armature directly to said framework, said means said armature being heavier including means pivotally mounting said armature, said armature being heavier on one side of said pivot than `on the other side and being thus biased to released position by gravity, the free end of said arm means having a latching surface and said armature having means including a latching surface adapted to contact said surface rst named, said solenoid when energzedl and with said door in closed position serving to hold said armature, withl said armature surface in contact with said arm surface for holding said door in closed position and when deenergized releasing said amature whereby said armature moves by gravity to released position thereby releasing said arm surface and-said door, whereby said door may be moved to its open position.

7. A starting gate having a framework including a plurality of partitions, a pair of doors between two adjacent partitions, said doors having pivot means and being swingable from a closedposition wherein the side edges of said pair cf doors farthest from said pivot means are adjacent to each other, to an open position where the doors are substantially parallel to each other, arm means on one door having a free end, means attaching said arm means only to said door pivot means whereby said Yarm means extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gate and transverse to said partitions whenv the door is in closed position, latch means for releasably latching said doors in closed position including: a solenoid provided with an armature, means attaching said solenoid including said armature directly to said framework, said means 'including means pivotally mounting said armature, whereby said armature swings in a vertical plane that is substantially transverse to the loning a latching surface and said armature lhav' ing means including a latching surface adapted sai'd surface lrst named, said solenoid when energized and with said door in closed position serving to hold said armature, with said armature surface in contact with said arm surface for holding said door in closed position and when deenergized releasing said armature whereby -said armature moves by gravity to released position thereby releasing said arm surface and said door, whereby said door may be moved to its open position. Y

8. A starting gate having a framework including a plurality of partitions, a pair of doors between two adjacent partitions, said doors having'plvot means and being swingable from a closed position wherein the 'side edges of said pair of doors farthest from said pivot means are adjacent to each other,'to an open position where the doors are substantially parallel to each other, arm means on one door having a free end, means attaching said arm means only to said door pivot means whereby said yarm means extends substantially-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gate and transverse to said partitions when the door is in closed position, latch means for releasably latching said doors in cluding: a solenoid provided with an armature, means attaching said solenoidincluding said armature directly to said framework, said means including means pivotally mounting said armature, on one side of said pivot than on the other side and being thus biased to released position by gravity, the free end of said arm means having a latching surface and said armature having means including a latching surface adapted to contact-said surface first named, said solenoid when energized and with said 'door in closed position serving to hold said armature,

to rleased position thereby releasing said armv surface and said door. whereby said door may be moved to its open position, said arm rr-eans of each pair of doors extending in a straight line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gate when said pair of doors is in closed position.

9. A starting gate having a vframework including a pair of partitions, a pair of doors between two adjacent partitions, said doors having pivot means and being swingable from a closed position wherein the edges of said pair of doors farthest from said pivot means are adjacent to each other to an open position where the doors are substantially parallel to each otherarm means on each door each of said arm means having a free end. means attaching said arm means only to said door pivot means, latch means for releasably latching said doors in closed position including:

closed positions intudinal axis of the gate and parallel thereto, a pair of doors between each two adjacent partitions, said doors of each pair having pivot means and being swingable from a closed position wherein the side edges of said pair of doors farthest from said pivot means are adjacent to each other, to an open position where the doors are substantially parallel to each other,arm means on one door of each pair, said arm means having a free end. means attaching said arm means to said 4door pivot means only whereby said arm means having a.v framework including a plurality of partitions, said frameworkhaving a front face extending along the longiextends substantially parallel with the longi tudinal axis of the gate and transverse to said partitions when the door is in closed position, latch means for releasably latching said doors in closed position including: a solenoid provided with an armature, means attaching said solenoid including said armature directly to said framework, the said armatures and solenoids of all of said doors being mounted on a line which is at least parallel to the front face of the gatel and which extends no further rearwardly than the front face of the gate, said means .including means pivotally mounting said armature of each solenoid. said armature being heavier on one side of said pivot than on the other side and being thus biased to released position by gravity, the free end of said arm means having a latching surface and said armature having means including a latching surface adapted to contact said surface virst named, said solenoid when energized and with said door in closed position` serving to hold said armature, with said armature surface in contact with said arm surface for holding said door in closed position and when deenergized releasing said armature whereby said armature moves by gravity to released position thereby releasing said arm surface and said door, whereby said door may be moved to its open position.

,11. A startnggate having a framework including a plurality otJ partitions, said framework having a front face extending along the longitudinal axis of the gate and parallel thereto, a plurality of pairs of doors, each pair of doors being adapted when closed. to close the space between two adjacent partitions, said doors having pivot means and being swingable from a closed position wherein the side edges of said pairs of doors-'farthest from said pivot means are adjacent to each other, to an open position where the doors are substantially parallel to each other, arm means on said doors, said arm means having free ends and each of said arm means having an amature contacting surface adjacent its free end, latch means, said arm means and latching surface forming part of said latch means, said latch means further including: a plurality of solenoids pro, vided with armatures, means attaching said solenoids including said armatures directly to said framework, said solenoids being mounted on a line which is at least as far forward as said front face of said gate, said attaching means including means pivotally mounting said armatures, said armatures being heavier on one side of said pivot means than on the other side thereof and being thus biased to released position by gravity, and said latching means further including said armatures and surfaces thereon adapted to engage said surfaces on said arm means, said solenoids when energized and with said pairs of ,doors in closed position serving to hold the surfaces of said armatures in contact with the surfaces of said arm means, and when deenergized releasing said armatures whereby said armatures move by gravity to released position thereby releasing said pairs of doors.

JESSE P. WHAN'N. NORMAN C. HARRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,743,875 Bland Jan. 14, 1930 2,164,213 Levenson June 27, 1939 2,193,257 Steele Mar. 12, 1940 2,232,675 Puett et al Feb. 18, 1941 597,984 Johnstone Jan. 25, 1898 1,290,110 Deatrick Jan. 7, 1919 406,629 Coulter July 29, 1889 731,347 Escude June 16,1903

' 1,989,204 Levenson Jan. 29; 1935 674,975 Monlezun May 28, 1901 1,949,850 Willard Mar. 6, 1934 2,200,504 Keen May 14, 1940 2,309,952 Harris et al Feb. 2, 1943 2,108,287 Kellum Feb. 15, 1938 2,066,277 Keil Dec. 29, 1936 848,256 Maaskant Mar. 26, 1907 2,319,420 Macksoud May 18, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 701,038 France Ja n. 5, 1931 508,183 England June 27, 1939 27,873 England of 1912